by Kingseyi Fri Jul 27, 2018 12:27 pmSouth Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma
arrived at the Pietermaritzburg High Court on
Friday for his third appearance on corruption
charges relating to a $2.5 billion arms deal in
the late 1990s.
Jacob Zuma
Zuma, who was ousted by the ruling party in
February, faces 16 charges of fraud, racketeering
and money laundering relating to a deal to buy
European military hardware to upgrade South
Africa’s armed forces after the end of apartheid
in 1994.
The case is a rare example of an African leader
being held to account for his actions. Zuma
denies any wrongdoing.
State prosecutors and Zuma’s lawyers are
expected to argue over a start date for the trial.
Dressed in a dark suit and red tie, the former
president was seen in court shaking hands with
his supporters before sitting down.
Dozens of his supporters held an overnight vigil
in the city and hundreds marched to court
through the streets of Pietermaritzburg, the
capital and second-largest city in the KwaZulu-
Natal province, chanting support for Zuma.
Some said the former president, whose nine
years in power were marked by economic
stagnation and credit rating downgrades, is the
victim of a politically motivated witch-hunt.
They carried placards emblazoned with the
words: “100% behind H.E. Zuma” and “Solid
ANC Leader”.
The speed with which prosecutors have moved
against Zuma is a sign of his waning influence
since he was replaced as head of state by Cyril
Ramaphosa, his former deputy, four months
ago.
Ramaphosa has made the fight against
corruption a top priority as he seeks to woo
foreign investment and revamp an ailing
economy.
NAN
arrived at the Pietermaritzburg High Court on
Friday for his third appearance on corruption
charges relating to a $2.5 billion arms deal in
the late 1990s.
Jacob Zuma
Zuma, who was ousted by the ruling party in
February, faces 16 charges of fraud, racketeering
and money laundering relating to a deal to buy
European military hardware to upgrade South
Africa’s armed forces after the end of apartheid
in 1994.
The case is a rare example of an African leader
being held to account for his actions. Zuma
denies any wrongdoing.
State prosecutors and Zuma’s lawyers are
expected to argue over a start date for the trial.
Dressed in a dark suit and red tie, the former
president was seen in court shaking hands with
his supporters before sitting down.
Dozens of his supporters held an overnight vigil
in the city and hundreds marched to court
through the streets of Pietermaritzburg, the
capital and second-largest city in the KwaZulu-
Natal province, chanting support for Zuma.
Some said the former president, whose nine
years in power were marked by economic
stagnation and credit rating downgrades, is the
victim of a politically motivated witch-hunt.
They carried placards emblazoned with the
words: “100% behind H.E. Zuma” and “Solid
ANC Leader”.
The speed with which prosecutors have moved
against Zuma is a sign of his waning influence
since he was replaced as head of state by Cyril
Ramaphosa, his former deputy, four months
ago.
Ramaphosa has made the fight against
corruption a top priority as he seeks to woo
foreign investment and revamp an ailing
economy.
NAN
